Syngonium plant named ‘Confetti’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Syngonium  plant named ‘Confetti’, characterized by its upright and symmetrical plant shape; freely branching growth habit; dense and bushy plant form; and light green-colored leaves with random bright pink-colored splashes, flecks and spots.

Botanical designation: Syngonium podophyllum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘Confetti’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofSyngonium plant, botanically known as Syngonium podophyllum andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Confetti’.

The new Syngonium is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of theSyngonium podophyllum cultivar Regina Red, not patented. The newSyngonium was discovered and selected by the Inventor on Jun. 6, 2003 ina controlled environment in Apopka, Fla. from within a population ofplants of ‘Regina Red’.

Asexual propagation of the new cultivar by tissue culture since June,2003, in a controlled environment in Apopka, Fla. has shown that theunique features of this new Syngonium are stable and reproduced true totype in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Confetti’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Confetti’ as a new and distinct cultivar ofSyngonium:

-   -   1. Upright and symmetrical plant shape.    -   2. Freely branching growth habit; dense and bushy plant form.    -   3. Light green-colored leaves with random bright pink-colored        splashes, flecks and spots.

In side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in Apopka, Fla.,plants of the new Syngonium differed primarily from plants of theparent, the cultivar Regina Red, in leaf color as plants of the cultivarRegina Red had solid pink-colored leaves.

Plants of the new Syngonium can be compared to plants of the cultivarPink Splash, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted inApopka, Fla., plants of the new Syngonium differed primarily from plantsof the Syngonium cultivar Pink Splash in leaf color as plants of thecultivar Pink Splash had green-colored leaves with random pink-coloredsplashes, flecks and spots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Syngonium, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Syngonium.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical plant of ‘Confetti’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a close-up view of theupper surface of the typical leaf of ‘Confetti’.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a close-up view ofthe lower surface of a typical leaf of ‘Confetti’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The cultivar Confetti has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature and light intensitywithout, however, any variance in genotype. The following observationsand measurements describe plants of the new Syngonium that were grown in15-cm containers, in Sebring, Fla., in a polycarbonate-coveredgreenhouse with light levels about 5,000 foot-candles. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures ranged from about 21° C. toabout 33° C. and night temperatures ranged from about 10° C. to about20° C. Plants used for the photographs and description were about fourmonths from planting. Color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Syngonium podophyllum cultivar Confetti.-   Parentage: Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of the Syngonium    podophyllum cultivar Regina Red, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By tissue culture.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 10 days at 29° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 20 days at 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted plant, summer.—About 70 days at 29°            C.        -   Time to produce a rooted plant, winter.—About 84 days at 20°            C.        -   Root description.—Thick and fleshy with fine laterals; N199D            in color; root tips, 160B to 160C; strong root system.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form.—Upright and symmetrical plant form; rounded            inverted triangle.        -   Growth habit.—Plant size appropriate for 10-cm to 20-cm            containers.        -   Growth habit.—Plants are freely clumping; usually about            eight branch stems develop per plant; dense and bushy plant            form. Moderately vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height.—About 22 cm.        -   Plant width (spread).—About 35 cm.        -   Stem description.—Length (from soil surface to junction of            the last two unrolled leaves): About 2.8 cm. Diameter: About            6 mm. Internode length: About 8 mm. Texture: Smooth,            glabrous. Strength: Sturdy, flexible; upright. Color,            immature: 145D. Color, mature: 147A to 147D depending on            exposure to light.        -   Foliage description.—Arrangement: Alternate; simple. Length:            About 13 cm. Width: About 7.5 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex:            Acuminate. Base: Sagittate. Margin: Entire; somewhat            undulate. Aspect: Mostly flat; between primary veins,            convex. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous.            Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Developing leaves, upper            surface: 145B to 145C to 147D; areas along the veins, 193D;            random splashes, flecks and spots, 182B to 182C; midrib,            147B. Developing leaves, lower surface: between 147D and            146C; midrib, 147D. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface:            191D flushed with 137A; areas along the veins, 192A; random            splashes, flecks and spots, 182B to 182C; midrib, 147A to            147B; lateral veins, 147B to 147C. Fully expanded leaves,            lower surface: 147B to 147C; midrib, 147B to 147C; lateral            veins, 147C. Petiole: Length: About 15 cm. Diameter, distal:            About 3 mm. Diameter, proximal: About 1.2 cm. Color: More            green than 147C. Wing length: About 4.7 cm. Wing diameter:            About 6 mm. Wing color, outer surface: More green than 147C            to 147D. Wing color, inner surface: 147D.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescence development has not been    observed on plants of the new Syngonium.-   Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Syngonium have not been    observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Syngonium.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Syngonium have been    observed to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 10° C. to    about 40° C.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Syngonium plant named ‘Confetti’, asillustrated and described.